Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress
Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress
3.5
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3.5
89 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
36
Average
26
Poor
8
Terrible
2
inneryne2016
Tighnabruaich, UK218 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The only Royal Palace in Georgia. It is interesting in a slightly melancholy way. The Kingdom of Georgia’s most famous King Erekle II was born and died here in the 1700s. But, it is a small and simple palace. The throne room is quite modest. There is also a small well run museum next door.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cora_v
Kyiv26,146 contributions
Jan 2012 • Solo
Telavi has not yet undergone the major reconstruction like Tbilisi, Signaghi and few other Georgian cities. So this city, which back in XVII-XVIII was the capital of the principality of Kakheti and the residence of the Kakheti Kings, is presently a somewhat depressive place with just a few attractions.
Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress (“Fortress of the Ruler”), situated in the very city center, is probably the main point of interest in Telavi.
The fortress complex centerpiece is the reconstructed former Palace of the Kakheti Kings, surrounded by the defensive walls of about 5m high, with several towers along their perimeter, and two entrances – to the east and the west. The eastern entrance (the one I took) is crowned with a typical Georgian graceful balcony. The most massive towers are in the southern walls, facing a public garden stretching along Erekle II Ave.
The Royal Palace is surrounded by a small garden, not too scenic in winter yet obviously looked after. There are also two royal court churches, the ruins of the bath and the tunnel within the fortress walls.
The Palace was initially laid down by order of King Archil of the Bagrationi dynasty in about in 1667-1675, as was one of the churches, a small chapel, and a bath. Later, in the second half of XVIII century, the Palace was further fortified by Kartli and Kakheti King Irakli (Erekle) II. It was surrounded by the castellation walls, and a larger church had been built in the northeast corner of the fortress, thus being multifunctional – a royal court church and a defensive tower. The tunnel, apparently, used to serve as the secret exit from the fortress.
The territory of the fortress had been given to the Telavi History Museum. The Royal Palace now hosts historical and ethnographic collections and Ketevan Iashvili Art Gallery, a private art collection donated to the museum. Entrance to the museum is for a symbolic fee, while I had no problem walking around the garden for free.
On the square in front of the eastern entrance to the Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress, there is an equestrial statue of King Irakli II. It overlooks the road to Telavi from the hill, with the side view of the Alazani valley.
Unless you are a fortification geek like myself, Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress is hardly worth specifically going for. But if you are in the area of Telavi, which has a lot to offer (see my reviews of Alaverdi and Shuamta Cathedrals, and of Gremi Royal complex in particular), it is well worth a short stop-over.
Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress (“Fortress of the Ruler”), situated in the very city center, is probably the main point of interest in Telavi.
The fortress complex centerpiece is the reconstructed former Palace of the Kakheti Kings, surrounded by the defensive walls of about 5m high, with several towers along their perimeter, and two entrances – to the east and the west. The eastern entrance (the one I took) is crowned with a typical Georgian graceful balcony. The most massive towers are in the southern walls, facing a public garden stretching along Erekle II Ave.
The Royal Palace is surrounded by a small garden, not too scenic in winter yet obviously looked after. There are also two royal court churches, the ruins of the bath and the tunnel within the fortress walls.
The Palace was initially laid down by order of King Archil of the Bagrationi dynasty in about in 1667-1675, as was one of the churches, a small chapel, and a bath. Later, in the second half of XVIII century, the Palace was further fortified by Kartli and Kakheti King Irakli (Erekle) II. It was surrounded by the castellation walls, and a larger church had been built in the northeast corner of the fortress, thus being multifunctional – a royal court church and a defensive tower. The tunnel, apparently, used to serve as the secret exit from the fortress.
The territory of the fortress had been given to the Telavi History Museum. The Royal Palace now hosts historical and ethnographic collections and Ketevan Iashvili Art Gallery, a private art collection donated to the museum. Entrance to the museum is for a symbolic fee, while I had no problem walking around the garden for free.
On the square in front of the eastern entrance to the Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress, there is an equestrial statue of King Irakli II. It overlooks the road to Telavi from the hill, with the side view of the Alazani valley.
Unless you are a fortification geek like myself, Batonis-Tsikhe Fortress is hardly worth specifically going for. But if you are in the area of Telavi, which has a lot to offer (see my reviews of Alaverdi and Shuamta Cathedrals, and of Gremi Royal complex in particular), it is well worth a short stop-over.
Written 29 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suitcase
Telavi, Georgia12 contributions
Sept 2018
you need to see it All the Alazani Valley is visible there. if the weather permits. where nice place to relaxing and thinking
Written 19 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stefano C
Geneva, Switzerland171 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
The museum (recently opened) is really really well done and interesting. Not enough descriptions but it’s worth a visit. The royal palace in the complex is interesting and a must see of Telavi
Written 28 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yoram L
Ra'anana, Israel492 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
The wall is quite impressive whereas the building inside seemed to be from the recent time. Tried to find a corner with a nice spot for the camera but it was very difficult
Written 29 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SALOMENKA
Tbilisi, Georgia6 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
New Museum inside the Batonistsikhe, perfect Guides, unique evidences of Historical and Cultural heritage of Georgia !
Written 27 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NomadicTraveller7
Fuerteventura11,884 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
It is nice to have this quite large attractive fort in the centre of Telavi, however it is not very special and it will not take you very long to see it. I do not have any photographs so that tells a story.
Written 2 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chewie999
South Australia, Australia302 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
The castle walls look good when walking around hem. But unfortunately, due to renovations I could not go inside to check out the Church and Palace.
Written 1 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amit B
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates277 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
We halted in Telavi on our way back to Tbilisi after a night halt at the Lopota resort. The fortress is located right on the main road and at present no internal access is allowed . There are good views of the mountains . If short of time a quick drive past should suffice.
Written 14 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mskhalil
Dubai, United Arab Emirates105 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
the area around the fortress is very nice, but the fortress itself is just a wall, inside there was construction when i went there.
Written 16 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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